Nathanael Cruz Salem Red Sox Pitcher

       
 
Age: 22
Born: February 4, 2003
Birthplace: Santo Domingo, DR
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
   
Drafted: Not draft eligible
How Acquired: International free agent
(July 2019)
College: -
High School: -
   

Photo © Bryan Green
Pronunciation: nuh-THANN-yull
First Pro Contract: July 2, 2019 (BOS)
Signing Scouts: Manny Nanita & Eddie Romero
Signing Bonus: $200,000
Rule 5 Draft Eligible: December 2025
MLFA Eligible: November 2026
   
Pro Debut: July 16, 2021 (FCL)
Added to 40-man: -
MLB Debut: -
Service Time (1/25): 0 days
Options Remaining: 3 (0 used)
Contract (2025): MiLB contract
   
Twitter: -
Instagram: -

 
 
 
 
 
     
  Scouting Report & Links      
         
  Physical Description: Average frame with some remaining projection. Has filled out considerably since he signed and seen his athleticism decrease.

Mechanics: Throws from a three-quarters arm slot. Medium-high leg kick. Inconsistent mechanics. Short arm action.

Fastball: 94-95 mph. Is back sitting in the mid-90s after sitting 91-93 in 2023. Has topped out in the high-90s in the past. Pitch shows arm-side run. Really struggles with his command and control.

Slider: 79-83 mph. Shows 11-to-5 break. Apparently has developed from a hard, more vertical curveball in the same velocity band. Throws a lot, working backwards off of it rather than primarily featuring his fastball.

Changeup: 84-87 mph. Flashed above-average potential in the past, but now more of a third pitch he will mix in.
  Career Notes: Participated in 2020 Fall Instructional league. Was removed after walking two hitters on August 6, 2021 and did not pitch for the rest of the 2021 season. Was included on the roster for the 2021 Fall Performance Program, but it is unclear how much he participated. Began the 2022 season in Low-A Salem, but exited his first start in the second inning with an injury. Rehabbed in Fort Myers before seeing game action in June in the FCL and returning to Salem in August 2022. Worked in a starter/piggyback role in the past but transitioned into a true short relief role in 2023.

Summation: Potential low-minors depth arm. Was once an intriguing arm with impressive velocity, but his body and delivery have backed up over the last few years and briefly saw his velocity dip, although that has returned. Injuries have slowed his development some.

Links
State of the System: Low Minors Pitchers (4.2.2020)
Scout Chatter (12.4.2020)
Scout Chatter (9.14.2021)
Scouting Report Update (3.12.2022)
 
   
     
    Pitching Stats                                          
  year team lg level org age w l era g gs sv ip h r er hr hbp bb so whip k/9 bb/9
2021 FCL Red Sox FCL Rk Bos 18 0 0 3.18 4 3 0 5.2 4 2 2 2 1 3 8 1.24 12.70 4.80
  2022 FCL Red Sox FCL Rk Bos 19 0 0 2.55 8 7 0 17.2 11 5 5 1 1 12 19 1.30 9.94 6.11
2022 Salem Red Sox Car A Bos 19 0 0 7.85 8 3 1 18.1 20 16 16 6 4 13 15 1.80 7.36 6.38
  2023 Salem Red Sox Car A Bos 20 3 2 5.14 25 0 0 42.0 32 29 24 2 8 36 45 1.62 9.64 7.71
  2024 Salem Red Sox Car A Bos 20 6 4 4.71 38 0 4 57.1 53 45 30 5 7 33 60 1.50 9.42 5.18
  2025 Greenville Drive SAL A+ Bos 21     stats                            
   
     
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